ECKLEY,  JOSEPH 


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U R S E 


BEFORE 

THE  SOCIETY 

FOR 

l&ropasating  tfje  d5ofpcl 

AMONG  THK 


INDIANS  AND  OTHERS  IN  NORTH  AMERICA, 

DELIVERED  NOV.  7,  1805. 


BY  JOSEPH  ECKLEY,  d.d. 

MINISTER  or  THE  OLD  SOUTH  CHURCH  IN  BOSTON. 


'Boston : 

PRINTED  BY  E.  LINCOLN,  WATER  STREET. 

1806. 

y , _ 


Boston,  Nov.  7,  1805. 


At  a meeting  of  the  Society  far  propagating  the  Gospel  among  the 
Indians , and  others , in  North  America , 

t 

Voted,  That  the  President,  Hon.  Gen.  Lincoln,  Rev.  Dr. 
Eliot,  and  the  Secretary,  be  a Committee  to  present  the 
thanks  of  the  Society  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Eckley,  for  his  excellent 
Discourse,  delivered  before  them  this  day,  and  to  ask  a copy  of 
it  for  the  press. 


JEDIDIAH  MORSE,  Secretary. 


1 0 B'  -V? 

: f i)(»  (i, 


.0  uwns  w 

„ ,«t  umoH  laMUM* 

ir1***1’  fc  R 


the  nature  and  effects  of  reconcilia- 
tion THROUGH  THE  GOSPEL. 


DISCOURSE. 


COLOSSIANS  i.  20. 

And)  having  made  peace  through  the  blood  of  his  cross , 
by  him  to  reconcile  all  things  unto  himself ; by  him , 
/ say,  whether  they  be  things  in  earth , or  things  in 
heaven . 

T HE  Society,  at  whose  request  I now  address 
you,  my  Christian  friends,  solicits  your  assistance  in 
a cause,  confessedly  of  die  highest  importance.  You 
often  assemble  that  you  may  minister  to  the  temporal 
wants  of  your  afflicted  and  poor  brethren.  This  day 
you  are  convened,  in  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord,  to  en- 
joy the  satisfaction,  and  participate  in  the  honour  of 
ministering  to  the  necessities  of  their  souls of  send- 
ing die  message  of  salvation  among  a people,  who 
have  not  die  means  of  providing  for  it  themselves  ; 
making  “ the  wilderness  and  the  solitary  place  glad 
“ for  them,  and  die  desert  rejoice,  and  blossom  as  the 
“ rose.”  “ How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are 
“ die  feet  of  him  that  bringeth  good  tidings  ; that 
“ publisheth  peace  ; that  bringeth  good  tidings  of 


4 


“ good  ; that  publisheth  salvation  ; that  saith  unto 
“ Zion,  Thy  God  reigneth  !” 

The  passage  of  seripture  which  has  been  read,  pre- 
sents to  us  a striking  view  of  the  general  design,  and 
excellent  nature  of  the  gospel  of  our  Lord.  It  is  pre- 
sumed that  such  a subject  will  not  be  unappropriate 
to  the  present  occasion  : for  in  proportion  that  we  ap- 
preciate the  worth  of  the  blessings  we  enjoy  ourselves, 
we  shall  experience  the  satisfaction,  and  discern  the 
necessity  of  becoming  the  instruments  in  conveying 
them  to  others.  “ And,  having  made  peace  through 
“ the  blood  of  his  cross,  by  him  to  reconcile  all  things 
“ unto  himself ; by  him,  I say,  whether  they  be 
“ tilings  in  earth,  or  things  in  heaven.” 

In  this  verse,  the  blessed  Jesus  is  introduced  by  the 
Apostle  as  an  agent  in  negotiating  the  great  concerns 
of  earth  and  heaven  ; and  his  cross,  though  a 
stumbling  bldck  to  the  Jews,  and  foolishness  to  the 
Gentiles,  as  the  powerful  mean  of  advancing  the  high- 
est interest  of  men  and  angels.  For  the  information 
of  the  Colossians,  to  whom  the  Redeemer  of  mankind 
was,  at  this  time,  but  little  known,  the  text  is  preced- 
ed by  the  following  sublime  account  of  his  personal 
qualifications  and  glory  : “For  by  him  were  all 

“ things  created  that  are  in  heaven,  and  that  are  in 
“ earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be  thrones, 
“ or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  powers;  all  things 
“ were  created  by  him,  and  for  him  : And  he  is  be- 
“ fore  all  things,  and  by  him  all  things  consist : And 
“ he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church  ; who  is  the 
“ beginning,  the  first  born  from  the  dead,  that  in  all 
“ things  he  might  have  the  pre-eminence  : For  it 
“ pleased  the  Father,  that  in  him  should  all  fulness 
“ dwell.” 


5 


To  the  writings  of  many  excellent  commentators, 
as  well  as  to  the  comparison  which  it  is  in  your  own 
power  to  make  between  these  verses,  ancl  numerous 
others  of  like  import,  I must  refer  you  for  the  meaning 
of  the  several  parts  of  this  illustrious  description.  The 
text  immediately  follows  ; “ And  having  made 

4‘  peace,”  &c. 

My  particular  endeavour,  in  the  subsequent  dis- 
course, will  be  to  engage  your  serious  contemplation 
on  the  peace  and  reconciliation , which  it  appears  the 
Father  of  our  Lord  has  been  pleased,  through  the 
blood  of  the  cross,  to  introduce  both  in  this , and  in  the 
ether  world.*  It  is  to  be  remarked  however  tluit 


* It  is  well  known  that  the  things  in  heaven  and  the  things  in 
earth , are  understood,  by  some  expositors,  to  mean  the  Jews 
and  Gentiles  ; the  former , considered  as  exalted  to  heaven  by 
the  privileges  they  enjoyed  ; the  latter,  in  a state  of  ignorance, 
senseless  like  the  earth,  until  they  were  called  by  the  gospel 
into  an  union  with  their  brethren,  through  the  common  faith. 
The  learned  Mr.  Locke,  notwithstanding  his  opinion  respect- 
ing several  other  texts,  readily  allows  that  by  the  thrones,  do- 
minions, principalities  and  powers,  or  the  thiqgs  in  heaven 
mentioned  in  the  1 6th  verse  of  this  chapter,  and  affirmed  by 
the  apostle  to  have  been  created  by  Christ,  are  signified  the 
good  angels,  inhabiting  heaven.  Is  it  not  reasonable,  from  the 
circumstance  of  the  connexion,  to  infer  that  the  reconciliation, 
expressed  in  the  20th  verse,  is  as  comprehensive  as  the  crea- 
tion ? Let  the  several  descriptions  in  the  Efiistles  be  com- 
pared, as  to  style,  manner,  and  apparent  design,  with  the  first 
chapter  in  the  Gosfiel  of  John,  and  it  is  presumed  it  will  appear 
that  by  the  creation  of  all  things  in  heccven  and  earth , is  designated 
something  vastly  more  important  than  the  mere  act  of  breaking 
down  the  middle  wall  of  partition  between  Jews  and  Gen- 
tiles, so  making  peace.  On  this  subject  see  Dr.  Doddridge’s 
Critical  Notes  and  References  in  the  Family  Expositor  ; also 
the  Notes  of  the  ingenious  Mr.  James  Peirce. 


6 


when  the  Apostle  speaks  of  the  Cross  of  Christ,  he  un- 
doubtedly means  to  embrace  in  his  idea  the  whole 
series  of  the  sufferings,  especially  the  benignity  and 
holiness  by  which  they  were  sustained,  and  in  a pri- 
mary sense,  may  be  said  to  have  acquired  their  effica- 
cy and  success. 

Allow  me  now  to  offer  to  you  a few  remarks, 
FIRST  on  the  nature  of  the  peace  and  reconciliation 
of  which  the  Apostle  treats  in  this  chapter  to  the  Colos- 
sians  ; and  SECONDLY  on  the  glorious  effects. 

FIRST — It  is  obvious  that  the  making  peace,  or 
procuring  reconciliation , involves  the  concession  of  a 
pre-existing  state  of  disorder  and  offence.  This  idea 
is  conveyed  not  only  in  the  text,  but  still  more  plainly 
in  the  Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  in  w hich  we  learn, 
that  “ God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  w orld  unto 
“ himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them.” 
The  disorder  or  offence  is  sin,  introduced  into  the 
world  by  our  first  parents  in  the  garden  of  Paradise, 
and  pervading  the  hearts  of  their  numerous  descend- 
ants from  that  melancholy  season,  to  the  present  day. 
It  has  shut  the  gates  of  Eden — nipped  her  fair  fruits — 
blighted  her  aromatic  flowers  ; — and  instead  of  angels 
with  smiles  of  love,  and  accents  of  celestial  joy,  has 
“ placed  cherubims,  and  a flaming  sword,  turning  ev- 
“ ery  way,  to  keep  the  way  of  the  tree  of  life.”  I can- 
not adequately  describe  it.  It  consists  in  contrariety 
to  the  nature ; opposition  to  the  will ; and  disaffection 
to  the  government  of  a perfect  God.  It  has  produ- 
ced a kind  of  war  between  heaven  and  earth.  God  is 
angry  with  the  wicked  every  day.  The  destruction 
of  the  antedeluvian  world — the  ruin  of  Sodom  and  Go- 
morrah— the  thunder,  smoke  and  fire,  with  the  voice 


of  the  Almighty,  when  he  bowed  the  heavens  and  came 
down  on  the  mountain  Sinai,  are  evidences  of  its  evil 
nature.  Contemplate  also  the  present,  as  well  as  past 
disturbances  in  the  natural  world ; the  agonies,  sick- 
nesses, groans  and  death,  to  which  as  mortal  beings  we 
are  continually  liable  ; — these,  in  like  manner,  are  the 
signals  of  the  divine  displeasure,  under  the  pressure 
of  which,  we  should  sink  irrecoverably , if  mercy  and 
truth  had  not  met  together  in  Jesus  Christ,  and  right- 
eousness and  peace  embraced  each  other. 

Reconciliation  implies  agreement  in  sentiment  and 
affection  between  the  several  parties  which  have  been 
at  variance.  But  whilst  man  continues  to  be  a sin- 
ner, on  supposition  the  divine  law,  by  which  he  is  thus 
characterized,  be  holy,  the  variance  is  to  be  considered 
intirely  justifiable  on  the  part  of  God.  It  is  therefore 
on  the  part  of  man  that  the  change  of  character  essen- 
tial to  the  proposed  agreement,  must  exist.  This  is, 
when,  through  die  word  mid  Spirit,  he  exhibits  die 
qualities  of  a true  penitent , receiving  the  offer  of  for- 
giveness and  of  life,  humbly,  joyfully,  and  with  a be- 
lieving heart.  The  reconciliation  will  dien  become 
mutual.  It  is  of  some  importance,  in  this  place,  to 
observe,  that  the  same  ideas  must  necessarily  be  en- 
tertained in  die  mind  of  God  concerning  die  evil  of 
sin,  when  he  pardons  it , as  when  it  exists  in  the  first 
instance.  No  alteration,  in  this  respect,  is  ever  possi- 
ble with  the  divine  Being.  On  any  other  supposi- 
tion, our  views  of  the  nature  of  pardon  must  be  intire- 
ly obscure.  To  the  contemplation  of  the  sanctity 
comprised  in  forgiving  love , must  be  attributed  die 
reciprocal  enjoyment  between  die  reconciled  sinner, 
and  his  Maker  : — For,  as  repentance  cannot  fail  to 
involve  the  disapprobation  of  sin,  the  effect  will  be  re- 


8 


alized  not  in  the  mere  desire  of  emancipation  from 
the  condemning  pow  er  of  a perfect  law,  which  even 
the  impenitent  might  experience,  but,  as  coexistent 
properties,  and  of  much  higher  importance,  in  the  ad- 
miration of  the  character  of  the  legislator — the  love  of 
divine  holiness — and  the  cordial  acknowledgment  that 
salvation  is  of  pure  grace  through  Jesus  Christ. 

This  is  the  state  of  reconciliation  which  the  Apos-. 
tie,  in  the  most  striking  manner,  delineates  in  his  ad- 
dress to  the  Corinthians,  in  which  he  says,  “ The 
“ love  of  Christ  constraineth  us,  because  we  thus 
“judge,  that  if  one  died  for  all,  then  were  all  dead  : 
“And  that  he  died  for  all,  that  they  which  live, 
“should  not  henceforth  live  unto  themselves,  butun- 
“ to  him  which  died  for  them,  and  rose  again.’* 
“ Therefore  if  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a new  crea- 
ture: Old  things  are  passed  aw'-ay ; behold,  all 
“ things  are  become  new : And  all  things  are  of  God, 
“ w ho  hath  reconciled  us  to  himself  by  Jesus  Christ, 
“ and  hath  given  to  us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation  : 
“ to  writ,  that  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the 
“ world  unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses 
“ unto  them  ; and  hath  committed  unto  us  the  word 
“ of  reconciliation.  Now  then  we  are  ambassadors 
“ for  Christ,  as  though  God  did  beseech  you  by  us  : 
“ We  pray  you  in  Christ’s  stead,  be  ye  reconciled 
“ to  God.” 

Whoever  pays  the  least  attention  to  the  gospel, 
must  discover  that  its  very  genius  consists  in  its  apt- 
ness as  a mean,  to  rescue  the  descendants  of  Adam 
from  the  fatal  effects  of  sin,  and  illustrate  the  riches  of 
redeeming  love  in  their  everlasting  felicity.  The 
sacred  scriptures  consider  true  religion  or  holiness. 


9 


whether  applicable  to  the  divine  Being,  or  to  his  ra- 
tional creatures  as  consisting  in  love.  But  of  all  the 
grades  of  this  affection,  the  most  exalted  is  that  which 
extends  to  enemies.  And  the  reason  is,  that  the  puri- 
ty or  disinterestedness  of  its  nature,  is  more  conspicu- 
ous and  abundant.  It  is  said  that  “ scarcely  for  a 
“ righteous  man  will  one  die  ; yet  perad venture  for 
“ a good  man,  some  would  even  dare  to  die.  But 
“ God  commendeth  his  love  towards  us,  in  that  while 
“ we  were  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.” 

I have  thus  briefly  considered  the  nature  of  the  re- 
conciliation of  which  the  Apostle  treats.  A more 
extensive  view  will  open  when,  as  proposed  in  the 
SECOND  PLACE,  we  consider  its  effects. 

And  First,  It  is  evident  that  among  all  the  moral 
beings  in  the  created  system,  there  are  none  for  whom 
the  author  has  employed  more  attention,  or  whose  fu- 
ture happiness  he  more  earnestly  seeks,  than  the  re- 
deemed, who  are  reconciled  to  him  through  his  Son. 
The  Apostles  concur  in  their  ideas  of  the  gospel,  as  a 
display  of  divine  wisdom,  power,  and  love,  united. 
This  opinion  is  corroborated  by  the  fact,  that  in  the 
scheme  of  redemption  by  Christ,  the  character  of  the 
Father  appears  to  be  illustrated  by  means  more  inter- 
esting, multiform , and  comprehensive , than  apply  to 
any  manifestations,  within  our  knowledge,  of  the  di- 
vine goodness  merely.  To  one  who  has  been  a friend, 
or  virtuous  being,  it  may  in  general  be  safe  and  expe- 
dient to  do  a kindness.  But  when  it  is  done  to  an 
enemy , as  the  sinner  may  be  viewed  in  relation  to  his 
God,  it  must  be  done  circumspectly — it  must  be  done 
wisely.  In  the  former  case,  the  process  may  be  plain 
and  easy.  In  the  latter,  preliminary  considerations 
B 


10 


may  be  needful.  The  rights  of  the  divine  govern- 
ment may  require  to  be  guarded — the  Ian's  honour- 
ed— religion  exalted — and  the  obligation  to  die 
practice  of  holiness,  with  the  inexcusableness  of  sin, 
exhibited  by  additional  light.  Pardoning  mercy , as 
delineated  in  the  gospel,  is  an  exemplification  of  the 
character  of  a righteous  God.  It  is  dignified,  as  it  is 
benignant — grand,  whilst  it  is  mild — embracing  jus- 
tice to  created  beings  in  general,  well  as  commise- 
ration to  offenders. 

Secondly,  There  are  many  circumstances  con- 
nected with  the  state  of  the  redeemed , evincing  an  high 
capacity  for  the  progression  in  knowledge,  and  the 
consequent  attainment  of  the  most  exalted  felicity.  It 
was  said  by  the  Tempter , to  Eve,  that  if  she,  and  her 
husband,  would  take  of  the  fruit  prohibited  by  their 
Maker,  they  should  be  “as Gods,  knowing  good  and 
“ evil.”  Without  commenting  on  the  particular 
meaning  of  this  declaration,  there  is  a general  appli- 
cation in  the  present  case,  conspicuous  and  easy. 
Do  not  health,  succeeding  sickness — life,  after  the 
foreboding  fears  of  death — and  joy,  in  exchange  for 
sorrow,  receive  a perceptible  augmentation  through 
the  power  of  contrast  ? It  is  only  to  apply  the  princi- 
ple— familiar  in  common  concerns — to  the  subject  of 
religion , and  the  doctrine  must  stand  confessed.  If 
the  knowledge  of  natural  evil,  which  the  Christian  en- 
dures in  the  present  state,  will  confessedly  enhance  the 
enjoyment  of  the  tranquillity  in  heaven,  it  is  quite  as 
reasonable  to  believe  that  die  knowledge  of  moral  evil 
may  also  contribute  to  the  same  end.  Sin,  when  it  is 
conquered — the  circumstance  of  the  conquest  being 
essential  to  the  argument — as  well  as  affliction  when  it 


11 


is  withdrawn,  will  necessarily  give  place  to  new  facul- 
ties— assisting  the  mind  in  contemplation  of  the  glo- 
rious objects  to  be  disclosed  to  its  view — adding  rev- 
erence to  delight,  and  holy  wonder  to  grateful  love. 
Like  the  dawn  of  morning  after  the  gloomy  shade  ; 
or,  as  the  light  on  the  first  day  of  the  creation,  dispell- 
ing  the  darkness  from  the  face  of  the  deep,  so  is  the 
mercy  of  the  Lord  to  the  believer  redeemed  from  in- 
iquity ; entered  by  the  recording  angel  in  the  book 
of  life,  and  reconciled  to  God  through  the  blood  of 
the  cross.  It  is  a noble  scene  the  Apostle  intro- 
duces in  the  book  of  Revelation,  in  which  the  el- 
ders are  beheld  “ falling  down  before  the  Lamb,  hav- 
“ ing  every  one  of  them  harps  and  golden  viols  full  of 
“ odours,  which  are  the  prayers  of  saints,  singing  a 
“ new  song,  saying,  Thou  art  W'orthy  to  take  the 
“ book,  and  to  open  the  seals  thereof ; for  thou  wast 
“ slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood.” 

At  a time  when  moral  truth  is  investigated  with  the 
most  critical  eye,  no  preacher  can  expect,  nor  ought 
he  to  desire  that  any  reliance  should  be  placed  on  his 
own  opinion,  until  reduced  to  the  unerring  standard 
of  divine  writ. 

To  the  candid  inquiry  of  this  respectable  audience, 

I therefore  submit  the  present  interesting  subject — 
whilst,  for  believing  the  plan  of  man’s  redemption  to 
be  so  transcendently  glorious  among  the  works  of 
God,  I proceed  to  offer  the  following  reasons  : — 

First,  The  being  employed  in  negotiating  this 
work,  is  no  less  than  the  only  begotten  and  dearly  be- 
loved Son  of  God,  by  whom  all  the  worlds  were  made ; 
who  is  before  all  things,  and  by  whom  all  tilings 
consist. 


Secondly , The  pains  and  toils  which  this  distinguish- 
ed person  endured  in  the  execution  of  the  work,  aug- 
ment our  ideas  of  its  importance.  In  the  creation, 
preservation,  and  government  of  the  world,  astonish- 
ing power  and  wisdom  are  employed.  There  is 
nothing,  however,  in  these  exertions,  but  what  is  per- 
fectly easy  with  the  author.  But  in  reconciling  sin- 
ners to  God,  there  must  be  labour,  and  suffering,  yea 
death.  And  give  me  leave  to  add — this  labour  may, 
in  a sense,  be  said  to  have  embraced  the  mind  even  of 
the  Father  of  our  Lord.  As  Abraham  consented  to 
offer  up  Isaac,  “ God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave 
“ his  only  begotten  Sou”  to  die  on  the  cross.  If  the 
good  resulting  from  this  event  was  so  great  as  to  ab- 
sorb the  idea  of  the  evil,  affording  to  the  mind  of 
the  Father  the  enjoyment  of  infinite  felicity  on  the 
whole — winch  we  are  bound  to  believe — it  is  not- 
withstanding true,  that  the  great  benevolence  implied 
in  the  act,  arises  from  the  particular  circumstance, 
that  viewed  abstractedly  from  the  consequences,  it 
must  have  been  discordant  to  his  parental  affections, 
and  in  which  it  may  be  supposed,  reluctance  must 
have  occupied  his  mind. 

’Thirdly , The  interest  which  the  glorious  angels  take 
in  the  work  of  man’s  redemption,  is  another  evidence 
of  its  magnitude.  They  attended  the  Son  of  God 
when  he  was  on  earth,  and  are  declared  to  be  “ min- 
“ istering  spirits,  sent  forth  to  minister  for  them  who 
“ shall  be  heirs  of  salvation.” 

Fourthly,  The  concern  which  it  appears  the  other 
orders  of  intelligent  beings  will  have  with  the  judg- 
ment of  mankind  at  the  last  day,  is  a further  proof  of 
the  general  importance  of  the  Christian  system.  As 


13 


both  the  good  and  bad  angels  have  taken  different 
parts  in  what  relates  to  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom — 
the  one  class,  to  promote,  the  other,  to  oppose  its  de- 
signs— it  is  intimated  that  at  the  close  of  human  affairs 
and  end  of  the  world,  they  will  appear,  in  the  same  as- 
sembly with  men,  in  the  presence  of  the  Judge,  for 
the  revelation  of  the  important  decree — the  public  and 
final  adjustment  of  their  respective  states. 

Lastly , The  similarity  in  nature  between  Jesus 
Christ  and  the  redeemed,  is  also  a proof  of  the  great 
distinction  he  will  confer  on  the  heirs  of  salvation. 
“ He  took  not  on  him  the  nature  of  angels,  but  the  seed 
“ of  Abraham.”  In  this  nature,  he  was  personally 
acquainted  with  the  wants  of  men  ; and  by  being 
tempted  as  they  were,  acquired  a feeling  for  their  in- 
firmities, being  himself  also  in  the  body.  It  is  evi- 
dent from  the  New  Testament  that  the  blessed  Jesus 
will  be  recognised  in  heaven,  as  having  once  possess- 
ed humanity,  and  as  the  Lamb  slain  from  the  founda- 
tion of  the  world.  There  is  great  reason  to  believe 
there  will  be  an  external  similitude  between  the  Re- 
deemer and  his  people,  by  which  they  will  be  distin- 
guished as  the  head  and  members  of  the  same  body. 
I leave  it  with  every  candid  reader  of  the  Bible  to  de- 
termine, whether  on  the  whole,  there  is  not  abundant 
evidence  of  a peculiar  predilection  for  the  saints  in  the 
divine  counsels,  admitting  them  to  a very  exalted 
state  of  communion  with  God  and  the  Lamb.  Take 
as  an  illustration  of  this  sentiment  the  words  of  our 
Saviour  the  last  evening  he  spent  with  his  disciples, 
when  he  addressed  his  Father  and  said,  “ Holy  Fa- 
“ ther,  keep  through  thine  own  name,  those  whom 
•“  thou  hast  given  me,  that  they  may  be  one,  as  we 


14 


“ arc.”  “Neither  pray  I for  these  alone,  but  for 
“ them  also  which  shall  believe  on  me  through  their 
“ word : That  they  all  may  be  one,  as  thou  Father 
“ art  in  me,  and  I in  thee  ; that  they  also  may  be  one 
“ in  us ; that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou  hast 
“ sent  me.  And  the  glory  which  thou  gavest  me,  I 
“ have  given  them ; that  diey  may  be  one,  even 
“as  we  are  one : I in  them,  and  thou  in  me,  that  they 
“ may  be  made  perfect  in  one,  and  that  die  world 
“ may  know  that  thou  hast  sent  me,  and  hast  loved 
“ them,  as  thou  hast  loved  me.”  To  the  same  pur- 
pose are  the  words  of  the  Apostle  to  the  Ephesians — 
“ That  ye  may  know  what  is  the  hope  of  his  calling, 
“ and  w hat  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  inheritance 
“ in  the  saints  : And  what  is  the  exceeding  greatness 
“ of  his  power  to  us- ward  who  believe,  according  to 
“ the  working  of  Iris  mighty  power,  which  he  wrought 
“ in  Christ  when  he  raised  him  from  the  dead  ; and 
“ set  him  at  his  own  right  hand  in  heavenly  places  ; 
“ far  above  all  principality,  and  power,  and  might,  and 
“ dominion,  and  every  name  that  is  named,  not  only  in 
“ this  world  but  in  that  which  is  to  come  : And  hath 
“ put  all  things  under  his  feet,  and  gave  him  to  be  the 
“ head  over  all  things  to  the  church,  which  is  his 
“ body,  the  fulness  of  him  that  filledi  all  in  all.” 

Such  then  is  the  nature , and  such  are  the  vast  effects 
of  the  reconciliation  expressed  in  tlie  text. 

But  I conceive  there  is  contained  a further  idea. 
Though  in  a literal  sense,  it  may  be  said  that  the  act  of 
reconciliation  implies  the  making  peace  subsequent  to 
a state  of  discord,  it  is  not  necessary  to  limit  it  to  this 
meaning.  The  application  to  the  things  in  heaven  as 
well  as  the  things  in  earth , leads  us  to  conclude  the  in- 


spired  writer  comprehended  in  his  mind  the  concerns 
of  both  worlds,  which  it  was  probably  his  design  to  rep- 
resent as  introduced  through  Christ,  into  a.  general  state 
of  connexion,  or  arranged,  according  to  their  respective 
conditions  and  dependencies,  under  one  perfect — uni- 
form— or  intire  system  of  government — correspond- 
ing with  all  the  objects  of  tire  Father’s  will,  and  com- 
petent to  the  fullest  illustration  of  tire  divine  glory. 

It  is  presumable  there  is  no  Christian  philosopher 
but  must  rejoice  in  the  belief  that  some  plan  of  divine 
government,  in  its  nature  completely  glorious,  wise, 
and  good,  must  in  reality  exist — that  w hatever  this 
may  be,  it  must  necessarily  look  beyond  time  into 
eternity — embrace  all  events — include  all  beings,  and 
comprehend  all  worlds — that  whilst  the  greatest  dis- 
play will  ultimately  be  made  through  its  instrumental- 
ity, of  the  natural  but  especially  the  moral  perfections 
of  its  author,  the  object,  on  the  whole,  is  the  highest 
possible  good  of  the  vast  system.*  In  this  plan  it 

* That  of  all  possible  systems,  the  best  is  actually  chosen  by 
God,  was  long  ago  maintained  with  much  learning  by  the  cel- 
ebrated Leibnitz,  a German  philosopher.  It  would  be  im- 
proper to  discuss  the  subject  with  any  minuteness  in  this 
place.  To  the  works  of  this  author,  with  those  of  Dr.  Clarke, 
and  many  other  excellent  divines  of  more  modern  date,  there 
is  an  easy  access.  It  is  a pleasing  observation  that  the  most 
important  truths  in  religion  are  generally  the  plainest.  The 
doctrine  to  which  this  note  has  reference,  is  presumed  to  be  of 
this  description.  To  the  learned  and  to  the  unlearned,  the 
gospel  is  addressed.  Suppose  it  to  be  said  that  of  all  possible 
systems  the  Almighty  has  not  chosen  the  best : would  not  the 
unlearned  reply — It  is  impossible  ? — Grateful  and  happy  ought 
they  to  be,  whose  time,  profession,  and  taste,  admit  the  serious 


16 


may  be  concluded,  there  is  a perfect  unity  of  design, 
interwoven  however  with  a vast  variety  of  subordi- 
nate parts ; and  this  variety  among  the  parts,  so  ad- 
mirably adjusted,  as  to  display  the  greatest  grandeur 
of  the  unity. 

But  not  only  is  a whole  composed  commonly  of  its 
known  parts : In  most  systems  of  government  which 
are  of  human  origin,  and  have  been  submitted  to  hu- 
man observation,  it  has  generally  been  conceded  to 
be  essential  to  their  perfection,  that — as  in  some  mag- 
nificent edifice,  or  noble  draught  of  nature — among  the 
parts , there  should  be  a principal — regulating  their 
dependencies — governing  their  proportions — or  di- 
recting their  ends — and  conspiring,  through  this  rela- 
tion, to  set  off  to  the  best  advantage,  the  absolute  beau- 
ty of  the  original  design. 

And  may  not  this  doctrine  apply  with  equal  propri- 
ety to  the  divine  government , as  to  any  other  ? Is  it 
not  attested  by  sacred  writ  that  the  application  in 
reality  exists  ? And  can  we  require  more  substantial 
evidence  than  is  already  furnished  in  the  scriptures,  that 
the  principal  work  in  the  moral  system,  is  the  redemption 
of  mankind  through  the  Son  of  God,  who,  as  Media- 
tor, stands  in  a joint  relation  to  him  who  sent  him, 
and  those  to  w hom  he  was  sent ; and  being  the 
brightness  of  the  Father’s  glory,  and  express  image 
of  his  person,  may,  in  union  with  the  saints,  in  w hom 
also  dwells  his  image,  be  considered,  like  the  natural 


investigation  of  these  subjects  ; and  notwithstanding  the  great 
pleasure  and  advantage  derived  from  many  other  branches  of 
science,  find  the  chief  relish  in  the  knowledge  of  divine  truth — 
the  sublime  study  of  moral  philosophy. 


17 


sun  to  the  earth  and  other  planets,  as  a glorious  centre , 
communicating  life,  light,  and  knowledge  through  the 
whole  intelligent  creation.  If  it  has  pleased  the 
Father  that  in  him  all  fulness  should  dwell,  undoubt- 
edly it  was  for  the  purpose  of  its  communication. 
And  by  what  method  this  communication  is  made, 
the  Apostle  asserts  in  his  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians,  in 
which  we  read,  “Unto  me,  who  am  less  than  the  least 
“ of  all  saints,  is  this  grace  given,  that  I should  preach 
“ the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ : And  to  make  all 
“ men  see,  what  is  the  fellowship  of  the  mystery, 
“ which  from  the  beginning  of  the  world  hath  been 
“ hid  in  God,  who  created  all  things  by  Jesus  Christ ; 
“ To  the  intent  that  now  unto  principalities  and  pow- 
“ ers  in  heavenly  places,  might  be  known  by  the 
“ church*  the  manifold  wisdom  of  God  ; according 
“ to  the  eternal  purpose  which  he  purposed  in  Christ 
“ Jesus  our  Lord.” 

From  evidence  so  abundant,  it  is  to  be  concluded 
that  not  only  the  redeemed , but  also  the  good  angels 
will  be  highly  benefited  by  the  plan  of  redemption. 
And  if  there  are  other  orders  of  wise  and  good  beings 
in  the  worlds  above  and  around  us— or  if  such  orders 
should,  at  any  future  time,  be  called  into  existence,  it 
may  be  apprehended  that  the  contemplation  of  the 
great  mystery  of  the  cross,  will  form  a part  of  their 
employment ; and  that  the  knowledge  of  God,  will, 
in  great  measure,  be  communicated  through  their  in- 
tercourse with  the  redeemed,  f Even  the  punishment 


* See  Doddridge's  Paraphrase  on  this  verse,  and  the  18th 
and  19  th  following. 

t That  the  various  material  systems  throughout  the  uni- 
verse are  replenished  with  rational  inhabitants,  has  often  been 

C 


18 


of  fallen  angels  and  impenitent  men,  may  be  presum- 
ed to  bear  a real  though  subordinate  relation  to  the  pri- 
mary objects  of  the  mediation  ; and  including  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  comparative  numbers  of  these  un- 
happy beings,  and  the  perpetuity  of  their  punishment, 
must  be  viewed  in  the  quality  of  partial  evils,  admit- 
ted for  the  sake  of  the  general  good 4 If  there  were 


supposed  by  Philosophers  ; and  the  opinion  appears  to  be  gain- 
ing ground.  The  sacred  scriptures  are  silent  on  this  subject. 
The  remark  in  the  preceding  paragraph,  includes  no  other 
than  a supposition,  for  the  sake  of  an  inference — the  applica- 
tion of  which,  to  this  part  of  the  discourse,  will  readily  be  dis- 
cerned by  the  reader. 

$ Allowing  the  expectation  of  a Millennium, ‘or  flourishing 
state  of  religion  for  a thousand  years  prior  to  the  end  of  the 
world,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  concluding  that  the  number  of 
the  redeemed  will  be  vastly  greater  than  of  those  who  will  be 
lost.  When  our  Saviour  remarked  on  the  small  proportion  of 
persons  walking  in  the  path  of  life,  he  appears  to  have  had  ref- 
erence to  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  with  other  times  not  em- 
bracing any  general  prevalency  of  virtue,  but  much  abounding 
in  iniquity.  The  inquiry  proposed  by  one  of  his  followers, 
“ Are  there  few  that  be  saved,”  is  evidently  founded  on  several 
parables  he  had  just  heard  ; in  one  of  Which,  the  divine  teach- 
er had  compared  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  or  state  of  religion  at 
that  season,  to  a grain  of  mustard  seed  which  is  very  small,  but 
if  put  into  the  earth,  becomes  in  the  proper  time,  a great  tree, 
admitting  the  fowls  of  heaven  to  lodge  in  its  branches.  They 
who  hold  to  the  doctrine  of  endless  misery,  and  yet  conceive 
that  but  few  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  world  will  finally  be  saved, 
must  be  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  finding  a competent  number 
of  subjects  for  future  happiness  from  other  systems  than  those 
to  which  their  information,  on  this  point,  at  present  extends,  or 
of  yielding  to  very  derogatory  ideas  on  the  nature  of  the  divine 
perfections. — There  are  others  who  assert  that  the  perpetual 
punishment  of  any  number  of  moral  beings,  though  compara- 
tively small,  would  be  intirely  inconsistent  with  the  attributes 


19 


a single  event — at  any  time — among  any  beings — or 
in  any  world,  incapable  of  subjection  to  the  design  of 
infinite  benevolence,  it  would  argue  a defect  in  the 
general  system.  But  taking  all  events  collectively — 
with  their  various  dependencies  on  each  other,  there 
can  be  no  defect — but  there  will  be  reason  through 
eternity  for  the  saints  and  angels  to  unite  in  the  an- 
them “ Alleluia,  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent  reign- 
“ eth.”  “ Blessing,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  pow- 
“er  be  unto  him  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  un- 
“ to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever.” 

Thus  I have  offered  to  t on  a few  thoughts  respect- 
ing the  peace  and  reconciliation  procured  through  the 
cross  of  our  blessed  Lord  ; implying  a state  of  love 
and  harmony  in  the  hearts  of  penitent  sinners  toward 
God ; and  also  a design  and  tendency  in  the  plan  of 


«f  their  Maker.  1 ask,  and  why  not  their  punishment  for  any 
limited  time  ? On  the  same  principle,  is  it  not  a blemish  in  the 
divine  government  for  evil,  of  any  description,  to  have  been 
admitted  into  the  system  at  all  ? That  after  a prescribed  peri- 
od, nothing  should  exist  but  perfect  tranquillity  and  calm  re- 
pose— no  beings,  except  those  who  will  be  united  in  the  same 
views,  actions,  and  enjoyments,  may  at  first  thought  appear  de- 
sirable. Perhaps  however— -as  in  the  natural  world , where  a 
certain  degree  of  agitation  is  essential  to  ths  support  of  the  ele- 
mentary system— -so,  in  the  moral  constitution  of  things , some- 
thing of  the  same  kind  may  always  be  required  for  the  excite- 
ment of  fresh  vigour  and  attention— -the  renewed  exhibitions  of 
the  divine  holiness  and  power — and  the  general  progression  in 
the  knowledge  of  God. — But  can  man  prescribe  to  his  Maker  ? 
With  the  imperfections  annexed  to  his  present  state,  is  he  able 
to  fathom  the  deep  counsels  of  Jehovah,  and  give  rules  for 
eternity  ? “ To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony,”  be  the  interest- 
ing appeal. 


20 


the  divine  government  to  promote  the  objects  of  infin- 
ite wisdom  and  benignity  in  the  general  system. 

Before  the  discourse  is  closed,  it  may  be  proper,  for 
a few  moments,  to  advert  to  the  fact  of  the  approxima- 
tion to  that  happy  time,  when  in  the  course  of  divine 
providence,  a glorious  specimen  will  be  given  of  the 
effects  of  this  reconciliation,  during  the  spiritual  reign 
of  the  Messiah  in  the  present  world.  For  a long  suc- 
cession of  ages,  the  church  of  Christ  has  been  like  a 
body  of  men  travelling  through  a wilderness,  incom- 
passed  with  dangers.  On  numerous  occasions  it  has 
indeed  appeared  in  majesty — exhibiting  proof,  as  the 
Jews  in  their  journey  between  Egypt  and  Canaan,  that 
its  great  Captain  was  its  redeemer  and  friend.  Not- 
withstanding the  evils  of  many  past  ages,  no  less  than 
of  the  present,  a sacred  voice  has  pronounced,  and  the 
harmonious  accents  may  yet  be  heard,  “ Prepare  ye 
“ the  way  of  the  Lord  ; make  straight  in  the  desert  a 
“ high  way  for  our  God.  Ever}"  valley  shall  be  exalt- 
“ ed,  and  every  mountain  and  hill  shall  be  made  low  : 
“ and  the  crooked  shall  be  made  straight,  and  the 
“ rough  places  plain  : And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall 
“ be  revealed,  and  all  flesh  shall  see  it  together ; for 
“ the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it.”  The  vari- 
ous promises  to  the  Jews  on  this  subject,  not  only 
combine  the  event  of  their  reformation,  and  acknowl- 
edgment of  the  Messiah  whom  their  fathers  slew,  but 
probably  of  their  return  to  their  own  country,  and  un- 
interrupted possession  of  Judea  again.  Their  pres- 
ervation as  a distinct  nation,  notwithstanding  their 
dispersion  in  all  parts  of  the  earth — their  general  ex- 
pectation of  the  event — their  disconnexion  from  all 
civil  governments— the  manner  in  which  they  hold 


21 


their  property,  which  is  chiefly  personal,  being  a ready 
moveable,  together  with  the  present  neglected  state  of 
their  ancient  country  ; — these  circumstances  united- 
ly strengthen  the  expectation  of  the  event,  and  render 
it  an  exhilarating  object  of  the  Christian’s  faith. 

The  conversion  of  the  Jews,  in  the  language  of  an 
inspired  writer,  will  be  as  life  from  the  dead,  arousing 
the  world  from  its  spiritual  slumbers — a prelude,  it  is 
probable,  of  the  general  reception  of  Christianity  in  all 
the  nations  on  earth — when  the  standard  of  the  Lord 
will  be  lifted  up — the  skies  pour  down  righteous- 
ness— peace  also  will  flow  like  a river,  and  all  men 
know  the  Lord  from  the  least  to  the  greatest. 

Though  these  events  are  in  a state  of  postponement, 
the  church  is  still  the  object  of  its  heavenly  Leader’s 
care  ; and  members  are  continually  added,  of  such  as 
shall  be  saved.  In  our  old  settlements  on  this  conti- 
nent, and  in  the  new — among  the  Aborigines,  and 
the  present  occupants  of  the  soil  from  which  they 
have  retired — in  the  polished  cities  and  in  the  forests, 
new  converts  as  well  as  established  believers  are  con- 
stantly rejoicing  in  the  doctrines  of  the  cross. 

To  promote  this  work,  my  Christian  friends  and, 
brethren,  we  are  convened  at  this  time.  The  desire 
which  is  thus  publicly  expressed  to  extend  the  gos- 
pel to  others , indicates  of  what  importance  we  consid- 
er its  application  to  ourselves f The  observation, 

though  trite,  is  interesting — It  is  the  best  gift  of  God 
to  man.  Reconciled  by  this  gospel  to  the  Being  we 
have  often  offended,  but  who  yet  retains  the  relation 
of  our  Father  in  heaven — how  vast  our  inheritance  ! 
how  boundless  our  views  ! With  the  source  of  life 
and  joy — -the  author  of  eternal  blessedness,  we 


have,  in  this  case,  the  sajne  interest  and  delight. 
His  cause  may  be  considered  as  our  cause  ; and  the 
honour  which  will  redound  to  him  through  all  his 
mighty  works,  as  the  reward  of  our  faith.  Whilst 
the  impenitent  who  indulge  the  relish  for  sin,  have 
their  only  portion  in  themselves — renovated  by  the 
knowledge  of  celestial  truth,  our  aspirations  reach  far 
beyond,  and  our  treasure  is  already  in,  heaven.  In  a 
sense,  all  beings  are  ours — all  worlds  our  patrimo- 
ny— all  events  subordinate  to  our  best  wishes  ; and 
time  is  constantly  progressing  to  ennoble  and  replen- 
ish our  immortal  souls.  “ Whether  Paul,  or  Apol- 
“ los,  or  Cephas,  or  the  world,  or  life,  or  death,  or 
“ things  present,  or  things  to  come  ; all  are  ours,  and 
“ we  are  Christ’s,  and  Christ  is  God’s.” 

But  we  are  assembled  in  this  house  for  the  benefit 
of  others,  no  less  than  our  own.  A voice  addresses 
us  from  the  inhabitants  in  the  wilderness  : The  lan- 
guage is,  “ Come  over,  and  help  us.”  The  Apostle 
once  heard  it  in  a vision  of  the  night,  when  the  man 
of  Macedonia  stood  before  him,  and  implored  his  aid 
for  the  people  then  elected  of  God.  IVe  hear  it  in  the 
Wakeful  hours  of  each  returning  day  : With  equal 
emphasis,  it  salutes  our  ears — on  business  of  like  im- 
portance, it  applies  to  our  understandings — and  it  is 
calculated,  with  similar  energy,  to  command  some 
of  the  best  affections  of  our  hearts. 

This  day  a portion  of  our  substance  is  to  be  offered 
in  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord.  What  is  earthly , is 
thus  to  be  consecrated  to  a spiritual  service — to 
change  its  designation,  from  the  pui'poscs  ol  the  pres- 
ent life,  to  those  of  the  life  to  come — to  be  acknowl- 


23 


edged  as  his  property,  and  assigned  to  his  use,  who 
is  able  to  sanctify  the  giver  and  the  gift ; that  “ both 
“ he  that  sanctifieth,  ami  they  who  are  sanctified,” 
may  be  one. 

But  what  shall  be  the  rule  for  our  respective  con- 
tributions on  this  occasion  '?  Ask  not  the  preacher. 
He  is  unable  to  inform  you.  Consider  the  value  of 
the  talents  you  have  received  yourselves.  Let  your 
inclinations  be  responsive  to  the  wishes  of  the  Re- 
deemer. Meditate  on  the  high  nature  of  the  ser- 
vice. A view  to  dte  honour  of  your  Maker,  and  the 
eternal  benefit  of  your  fellow- men,  will  be  sufficient  to 
regulate  your  present  offerings,  and  at  the  same  time 
improve  your  own  souls. 

“To  open  the  blind  eyes — to  bring  out  the  prison- 
“ ers  from  the  prison,  and  them  that  sit  in  darkness 
“ out  of  the  prison  house — to  bind  up  the  broken- 
“ hearted — comfort  them  that  mourn,”  and  patro- 
nise the  messengers  of  the  gospel  reconciliation  among 
a people  who  are  “in  lack  of  knowledge  — these 
are  employments  in  which  the  seraphs,  who  stand 
before  the  throne  on  high,  might  desire  to  be  en- 
gaged— but  they  are  assigned  to  yon.  There  will 
be  joy  in  heaven,  if  you  are  instrumental  in  saving 
even  one  soul  alive.  The  charity  which  results  from 
the  experimental  acquaintance  with  the  doctrine  of 
reconciliation  through  the  blood  of  the  cross,  will  be 
registered  above.  Wherever  you  send  the  gospel, 
the  action  will  be  told  for  a memorial.  Your  reward 
will  be  commensurate  with  eternity,  through  Jesus 
Christ,  who  came  to  them  who  are  nigh , and  afar 


24 


off; — in  whom  we  have  the  promise  of  redemption 
for  ourselves,  by  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  for 
as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call  to  the  obedi- 
ence of  the  like  precious  faith. — To  him  be  glory  in 
the  church,  for  ever  and  ever. 


AMEN. 


appendix 


AN  ACT 

To  incorporate  certain  Persons , by  the  Name  of  the  Society 
for  Propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians , and  others,  in 

North  America. 

WHEREAS  clivers  persons  have  petitioned  this  Court  for 
an  act  of  incorporation,  whereby  they  may  be  the  better  ena- 
bled to  carry  into  effect  their  design  of  propagating  the  Gospel 
among  the  Indians  and  others  in  North  America,  and  it  is  rea- 
sonable that  the  prayer  of  the  said  petition  should  be  grant- 
ed : Therefore,  to  promote  and  encourage  the  same, 

I.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives , 
in  General  Court  assembled , and  by  the  authority  of  the  same, 
That  Richard  Cranch,  of  Braintree,  Esq.  Rev.  John  Clark,  of 
Boston,  Francis  Dana,  of  Cambridge,  Esq.  Rev.  Joseph  Eck- 
ley,  and  John  Eliot,  of  Boston,  Rev.  Nathaniel  Emmons,  of 
Franklin,  Rev.  Levi  Frisbie,  of  Ipswich,  Moses  Gill,  of  Prince- 
town,  and  William  Hyslop,  of  Brookline,  Esq’rs.  Rev.  Timo- 
thy Hilliard,  of  Cambridge,  Jonathan  Mason,  of  Boston,  Esq. 
Rev.  Phillips  Payson,  of  Chelsea,  Rev.  Eliphalet  Porter,  and 
Increase  Sumner,  Esq.  of  Roxbury,  Ebenezer  Storer,  Esq. 
Rev.  Peter  Thatcher,  and  Oliver  Wendell,  Esq.  of  Boston, 
Rev.  Joseph  Willard  and  Edward  Wigglesworth,  and  Samuel 
Williams,  Doctor  of  Laws,  of  Cambridge,  and  the  Rev.  Eben- 
ezer Wight,  of  Boston,  be,  with  such  others  as  they  shall 
elect,  and  they  hereby  are  incorporated,  and  made  a body  poli- 
tic, for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  by  the  name  of  The  Society  for 
Propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians , and  others,  in  North 
America  ; and  the  Society  aforesaid,  shall  have  perpetual  suc- 
cession, and  may  have  a common  seal,  which  it  shall  be  lawful 
for  them  to  change,  break,  alter,  and  make  new  at  pleasure,  and 
may  purchase  and  hold  in  succession,  lands,  tenements,  and 
real  estate  of  any  kind,  the  annual  income  and  profits  whereof 
not  to  exceed  the  value  of  two  thousand  pounds.  And  the  said 
D 


26 


Society  is  hereby  enabled  to  take  and  receive  subscriptions  of 
charitably  disposed  persons,  and  may  take  any  personal  estate 
in  succession  ; and  all  donations  to  the  Society,  either  by  sub- 
scriptions, legacy  or  otherwise,  excepting  such  as  may  be 
differently  appropriated  by  tlje  donors,  shall  make  a part  of, 
or  be  put  into  the  capital  stock  of  the  Society,  which  shall  be 
put  out  on  interest,  on  good  security,  or  otherwise  improved 
to  the  best  advantage,  and  the  income  or  profits  applied  to 
the  purposes  of  propagating  the  gospel  among  the  said  In- 
dians, in  such  manner  as  they  shall  judge  most  conducive 
to  answer  the  design  of  their  institution  ; and  also  among 
other  people,  who  through  poverty  or  other  circumstances, 
are  destitute  of  the  means  of  religious  instruction  : And 
the  said  Society  is  hereby  empowered  to  give  such  instruc- 
tions, orders  and  encouragements  to  their  officers,  and 
those  they  shall  employ,  as  they  shall  judge  necessary ; 
and  the  persons  employed  as  teachers  in  any  capacity,  shall  be 
men  of  the  Protestant  religion,  of  reputed  piety,  loyalty,  pru- 
dence, knowledge  and  literature,  and  of  other  Christian  and 
necessary  qualifications  suited  to  their  respective  stations. 

II.  And  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid , That 
the  said  Society  shall  meet  at  some  convenient  place  in  the 
town  of  Boston,  on  the  first  Thursday  of  December  next,  and 
then  choose  a President,  Vice-President,  Treasurer  and  Secre- 
tary, and  such  other  officers  as  they  shall  judge  proper,  and  may 
make  by-laws  and  orders,  for  the  regulation  of  the  said  Society  ; 
provided  such  by-laws  and  orders  be  not  repugnant  to  the 
laws  of  the  land,  and  act  upon  all  matters  which  they  apprehend 
needful,  to  promote  the  end  of  th^ir institution  : And  the  offi- 
cers so  chosen,  shall  continue  in  their  office,  until  the  Thurs- 
day next  succeeding  the  last  Wednesday  of  May  next  following 
the  time  of  their  appointment. 

III.  And  be  it  further  enacted , That  there  shall  be  a general 
meeting  of  the  members  of  the  said  Society,  at  Boston,  afore- 
said, or  in  any  other  place  within  this  Commonwealth,  (unless 
some  extraordinary  occurrence  prevent  the  same)  on  the 
Thursday  aforesaid  in  May,  and  first  Thursday  of  November, 
yearly,  forever,  and  oftener  if  needful,  when  and  where  the 
said  Society  shall  think  fit  ; and  any  seven  of  the  members 
(the  President,  Vice-President,  Treasurer  or  Secretary  always 
to  be  one)  being  convened  at  the  said  times  and  places,  are 
hereby  declared  to  be  a quorum  of  the  said  general  meeting  ; 
and  the  said  Society  at  their  general  meeting  in  May  in  every 
year  (and  in  case  of  any  extraordinary  occurrence  preventing 


27 


their  meeting,  then  at  their  next  general  meeting  after)  shall 
out  of  their  own  body,  by  a majority  of  the  members  present, 
elect  a President,  Vice-President,  Treasurer  and  Secretary, 
and  such  other  officers  as  they  shall  find  needful,  to  continue 
in  office  until  the  May  meeting  next  following  their  appoint- 
ment, or  until  others  be  chosen  to  succeed  them  ; and  all  the 
officers  aforesaid,  before  they  shall  be  qualified  to  act,  shall  be 
under  oath,  for  the  faithful  performance  of  their  respective 
trusts  ; and  the  said  Society,  at  their  first,  or  any  other  stated 
meeting  (and  at  no  other)  may  elect  into  their  body,  such  per- 
sons as  they  shall  judge  qualified,  to  assist  them  in  their  good 
design  ; provided  the  whole  number  of  the  said  Society,  shall 
at  no  time  exceed  fifty  members  ; and  may  appoint  commit- 
tees, to  prosecute  the  orders  of  any  general  meeting,  audit  the 
Treasurer’s  accounts,  and  prepare  matters  for  the  Society  to 
act  upon  ; and  such  committees  shall  exhibit  an  account  of 
their  proceedings,  at  the  general  meetings  of  said  Society. 

IV.  And  be  it  further  enacted , That  the  Society  aforesaid, 
by  the  name  aforesaid,  shall  be,  and  is  hereby  declared  to  be  ca- 
pable to  prosecute,  pursue,  and  defend,  in  all  courts  and  places, 
and  before  all  proper  judges  whatsoever,  all  actions,  causes, 
processes  and  pleas,  of  what  kind  or  nature  soever,  in  the  ful- 
lest and  amplest  manner  ; and  if  it  shall  happen  that  the  said 
Society  shall  become  seized  of  lands,  or  tenements  by  mort- 
gage, as  security  for  the  payment  of  any  debts,  or  by  levying 
executions  on  lands  for  discharge  of  debts,  due  to  the  said  Soci- 
ety, it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  said  Society,  by  deed  under  the 
hand  and  seal  of  their  President,  for  the  time  being,  to  sell  and 
convey  the  lands  acquired  in  either  of  the  two  mentioned 
ways  ; provided  that  no  such  sale  shall  be  made,  or  concluded 
on,  but  at  some  general  stated  meeting. 

V.  And  be  it  further  enacted , That  the  said  Society,  be,  and 
hereby  is  empowered,  upon  the  death  of  their  President, 
Vice-President,  Treasurer,  Secretary,  or  any  other  officer,  to 
choose  others  at  any  stated  general  meeting,  to  succeed  them  ; 
and  may  also  remove  any  of  their  officers,  when  they  shall 
judge  expedient,  and  appoint  others  to  succeed  them  therein. 
Provided  always,  That  no  member  shall  be  removed,  or  offi- 
cers displaced,  unless  at  one  of  the  stated  general  meetings  as 
aforesaid. 

And  to  the  end,  that  the  members  of  the  said  Society,  and 
all  contributors  to  the  said  design,  may  know  the  state  of  the 
Society’s  stock,  and  the  dispositions  of  the  profits  thereof,  and 
of  all  the  donations  made  to  the  said  Society  : 


28 


VI.  Be  it  further  enacted , That  a particular  account  of  such 
stock  and  disposition,  shall  be  exhibited  by  the  Treasurer,  at 
every  stated  general  meeting  ; which  accounts,  the  Secretary, 
or  acommittee  of  the  said  Society,  (having  examined  the  same) 
shall  certify  to  be  true  ; and  fair  entries  shall  be  made  in  pro- 
per books,  to  be  provided  for  that  purpose,  of  all  donations 
made  to  the  said  Society,  and  of  all  the  estate,  both  real  and 
personal,  belonging  to  the  Society,  and  of  the  incomes  thereof, 
and  also  of  all  transactions,  either  by  themselves,  their  officers, 
or  committees,  for,  or  on  account  of  the  said  Society  ; and  the 
said  books  shall  be  brought  to  the  stated  general  meetings  of 
the  Society,  and  be  there  open  for  the  perusal  and  examination 
of  the  members. 

VII.  And  it  is  further  enacted , That  Moses  Gill , Esq.  be,  and 
he  hereby  is  authorized,  by  public  notification,  in  Adams  and 
Nourse’s  Independent  Chronicle,  to  call  the  first  meeting  of 
the  said  Society,  at  such  time  and  place,  in  the  town  of  Boston , 
as  he  shall  judge  proper. 

[This  act  passed  November  19,  1787.] 


RULES  AND  REGULATIONS 

For  the  Government  of  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel 
among  the  Indians  and  others  in  North  America , 


Beside  the  choice  of  a President,  Vice  President,  Treasurer 
and  Secretary  required  by  Charter  to  be  made  on  the  Thursday 
succeeding  the  last  Wednesday  in  May,  annually,  there  shall 
be  chosen  at  such  time,  a Vice  Treasurer  and  Assistant  Secre- 
tary ; a Select  Committee  to  consist  of  five  persons,  and  a 
Committee  of  three  to  audit  the  Treasurer’s  accounts.  Any 
extraordinary  occurrence,  however,  preventing  the  choice  on 
the  said  day,  they  may  be  chosen  at  the  next  stated  meeting. 

Of  the  President  and  Vice  President. 

1st.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  in  all 
jneetings  of  the  Society  and  of  the  Select  Committee,  to  regu- 


29 


jatc  the  debates,  to  state  and  put  all  questions  regularly  made, 
to  call  for  reports  from  committees  or  others,  to  keep  the  seal 
of  the  Society,  and  to  attend  to  the  execution  of  its  laws  and 
regulations. 

2d.  In  case  of  the  absence  of  the  President  at  any  of  the 
meetings,  the  Vice  President,  if  present,  shall  preside,  and  in 
case  of  the  absence  of  both,  any  member  present  may  be  nomi- 
nated and  chosen  for  that  purpose. 

3d.  The  President  shall,  ex  officio,  belong  to  the  Select 
Committee. 

4th.  In  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  or  inability  of  the 
President,  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  President  shall  devolve 
upon,  and  belong  unto,  the  Vice  President. 

Of  the  Select  Committee. 

1st.  The  Select  Committee  shall  from  time  to  time  consid- 
er of,  prepare,  and  report  such  matters  and  things  to  the  stated 
"meetings,  as  they  shall  judge  necessary  to  be  laid  before  the 
Society  ; and  in  general  such  plans  and  measures,  as  they  shall 
conceive  best  calculated  for  accomplishing  the  benevolent  de- 
signs of  the  institution.  This  shall  not,  however,  preclude  any 
member  from  laying  before,  or  proposing  to  the  Society,  any 
matter  or  thing,  which  he  may  think  beneficial. 

2d.  The  Select  Committee  shall  give  instructions  to  the  mis- 
sionaries, who  may  be  employed  ; the  same  being  conformable 
to  the  rules  of  the  Society,  or  not  repugnant  thereto,  examine 
their  Journals,  and  make  inquiry  into  the  success  of  their  mis- 
sions, and  all  matters  that  concern  the  same,  and  make  report 
from  time  to  time  to  the  Society. 

3d.  The  Select  Committee  shall  direct  the  Secretary  in  such 
correspondence,  as  they  shall  judge  necessary. 

4th.  The  Select  Committee  shall  examine  all  accounts  exhib- 
ited against  the  Society,  and  the  same  being  certified,  examined, 
approved  and  signed  by  the  said  Committee,  or  the  major 
part  of  them,  with  an  order  thereon  from  the  President  or  Vice 
President  to  the  Treasurer,  the  same  shall  be  a sufficient  au- 
thority to  the  Treasurer  for  payment,  agreeably  to  the  appro- 
priations and  votes  of  the  Society. 

5th.  The  Select  Committee  shall  hold  a meeting,  at  least 
some  time  within  a month  before  each  stated  meeting  of  the  So- 
ciety. The  Secretary  shall  appoint  and  notify  the  time  and 
place  of  such  meeting,  at  least  seven  days  previous  thereto. 


so 


Of  the  Secretary. 

1st.  The  Secretary  shall  have  the  charge  of  the  statute  and 
letter  books,  and  of  all  letters,  which  letters  shall  be  kept  by  him 
on  regular  file  ; and  he  shall  attend,  if  possible,  all  meetings 
of  the  Society  and  of  the  Select  Committee,  and  at  each  meet- 
ing of  the  Society  read  the  orders  and  entries  of  the  preced- 
ing meeting,  take  notes  of  the  orders  and  transactions  of  the 
present  meeting,  and  enter  the  same  in  the  books  to  which- they 
respectively  relate  ; and  shall,  in  like  manner,  note  the  doings 
of  the  Select  Committee. 

2d.  The  Secretary  shall  from  time  to  time,  lay  before  the 
Society  such  communications,  as  he  shall  have  received,  and 
such  correspondencies  as  he  shall  have  carried  on  under  the 
direction  of  the  Society,  or  the  Select  Committee. 

3d.  The  Secretary  shall  record  in  a book  to  be  kept  for  that 
purpose,  or  in  some  distinct  part  of  his  record  book,  all  appro- 
priations of  money  made  by  the  Society  ; all  donations,  by 
whom,  and  when  specially  appropriated ; to  what  uses  ; all  real 
and  personal  estate  acquired  by  the  Society,  by  purchase  or 
otherwise  ; and  of  all  sales  of  real  estate  made  by  the  Society  ; 
which  shall  be  laid  before  the  Society  at  each  meeting. 

4th.  In  the  absence  of  the  Secretary,  the  Assistant  Secreta- 
ry shall  possess  the  same  powers,  and  be  charged  with  the 
same  duties  as  the  Secretary. 

Of  the  Treasurer  and  Vice  Treasurer. 

1st.  The  Treasurer  and  Vice  Treasurer  shall  give  sufficient 
security,  in  the  judgment  of  the  Select  Committee,  for  the 
trust  reposed  in  them. 

2d.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  officially  all  monies  or  sums 
of  money  due  or  payable,  and  all  bequests  and  donations, 
that  may  be  made  to  the  Society,  and  improve  the  same  to  the 
best  advantage  of  the  Society,  and  in  such  manner,  as  he  shall 
judge  conducive  to  its  benefit,  except  in  cases  where  the  mode 
of  improvement  shall  be  especially  pointed  out  by  the  donor, 
or  by  the  Society  or  advice  of  the  Select  Committee,  during 
any  recess  of  the  Society. 

3d.  The  Treasurer  shall  pay  such  sums  of  money  out  of  the 
Treasury  as  he  shall  have  orders  for,  pursuant  to  the  regu- 
lations and  directions  of  the  Society,  and  not  otherwise. 

4th.  The  Treasurer  shall,  in  a book  to  be  kept  for  that  pur- 
pose, enter  all  the  estate  of  the  Society,  both  real  and  personal, 
specifying  what  is  appropriated  and  what  is  not,  and  for  whal 
uses,  if  appropriated  by  the  Society,  or  any  donor. 


31 


5th.  Previous  to  every  stated  meeting,  the  Treasurer’s  ac- 
counts shall  be  audited  by  the  Committee  for  examining  the 
Treasurer’s  accounts  ; in  said  Committee  not  more  than  one 
of  the  Select  Committee  shall  be  included. 

6th.  In  case  of  the  death,  resignation,  or  removal  of  the 
Treasurer,  the  Vice  T reasurer  shall  have  full  power  and  author- 
ity to  receive  all  books,  papers  and  effects,  that  were  in  the  cus- 
tody of  the  Treasurer,  and  which  belong  to  the  Society,  and  to 
give  receipts  and  discharges  for  the  6ame  in  the  name  of  the 
Society,  a duplicate  of  which  shall  be  lodged  with  the  Secreta- 
ry. The  same  process  shall  be  observed  upon  the  choice  of  a 
pew  Treasurer  and  his  acceptance  of  the  office. 

Of  Meetings. 

1st.  Previous  to  each  stated  meeting  of  the  Society,  the  Sec- 
retary shall  give  public  notice  in  one  or  more  of  the  Boston 
newspapers,  at  least  fourteen  days  before  such  meeting,  the 
President,  or  Vice  President  in  his  absence,  directing  time  and 
place. 

2d.  Occasional  meetings  may  be  called,  whenever  the  Presi- 
dent, or  in  his  absence  the  Vice  President,  shall  direct  the 
same,  or  at  the  request  of  the  Select  Committee,  or  when  a re- 
quest is  signified  in  writing  by  any  three  of  the  members  to 
the  President ; and  such  occasional  meetings  shall  be  notified 
by  billets  from  the  Secretary  to  each  member,  unless  there  be 
sufficient  time  to  notify  in  some  newspaper,  and  the  Secretary 
shall  think  that  mode  best.  He  shall  also  notify  the  meetings 
of  the  Select  Committee  by  billets. 

3d.  The  Secretary  shall  seasonably,  before  each  stated  meet- 
ing, remind,  by  billets,  the  Committee  for  auditing  the  Treas- 
urer’s accounts  of  the  business  of  their  commission. 

Of  Missionaries. 

1st.  Missionaries  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Society  at  any 
stated  meeting. 

2.  It  shall  be  a standing  instruction  to  the  Missionaries  to 
transmit  to  the  President  or  Secretary,  quarterly  if  practicable, 
a journal  of  their  proceedings,  which  shall  be  laid  before  the 
Select  Committee,  and  by  them  be  communicated  to  the  Socie- 
ty, in  order  that  a true  knowledge  may  be  had  of  the  state,  cir- 
cumstances and  prospects  of  their  respective  missions. 

3d.  Missionaries  may  be  suspended  for  neglect  of  duty,  or 
any  gross  immorality,  by  order  of  the  President  with  advice  of 


32 


the  Select  Committee,  during  the  recess  of  the  Society  : and  af 
the  next  meeting  of  the  Society  such  suspension  may  be  taken 
oft',  or  continued,  as  the  Society  shall  think  fit,  and  for  like 
causes  the  Society  may  dismiss  them. 

Of  Election  of  Members. 

The  choice  of  new  members  shall  be  by  ballot.  The  candi- 
date shall  be  proposed  by  some  member  or  members  of  the 
Society,  who  shall  lodge  with  the  Secretary  his  or  their  propo- 
sal in  writing,  signed  by  him  or  them,  inserting  the  town  or 
place  where  the  candidate  lives,  and  his  addition.  At  any 
stated  meeting,  the  Secretary  may  declare  the  proposal,  or  at 
the  next  or  any  subsequent  meeting,  he  may  be  balloted  for. 
The  votes  of  three  fourths  of  the  members  present  shall  be  ne- 
cessary to  constitute  a choice. 


:<2>: 


The  Society,  the  year  past,  have  employed  five  Missionaries 
(beside  giving  the  usual  aid  to  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Hawley  of 
Marshpee,  and  Sergeant  of  Stockbridge,  who  labour  among  the 
Indians)  viz. 

Rev.  Alexander  Mc’Lean  eight  months,  Rev.  Daniel  Oliver 
six  months,  Rev.  Messrs.  Piper  and  Stone  three  months  each, 
and  Rev.  Edmund  Eastman,  two  months,  all  in  the  District  of 
Maine  ; and  Mr.  Lovejoy,  who  is  stationed  at  the  Isles  of 
Shoals,  and  is  partly  supported  by  tlie  Society,  and  partly  by 
grants  from  the  New  Hampshire  Legislature.  It  appears 
irom  the  journals  of  these  Missionaries,  that  they  have  labour- 
ed with  various,  and  in  seme  instances,  with  encouraging  suc- 
cess. 

Mr.  Me  Lean  has  for  many  years  been  a most  faithful 
and  a very  acceptable  Missionary  in  the  service  of  the  Society. 
His  journals  have  been  interesting  and  furnished  much  infor- 
mation for  the  direction  of  the  Society  in  dispensing  their 
charity. 

Mr.  Oliver,  during  the  six  months  which  he  spent  in 
the  service  of  the  Society,  travelled  about  1200  miles,  preach- 
ed 133  sermons,  visited  196  families,  and  baptized  7 children. 
“ The  Society  (he  says)  from  many  places,  receive  the  hearty 
“ and  affectionate  thanks  of  the  people  for  their  kind  and  be- 
“ nevolent  assistance  in  sending  Missionaries  and  books  among 


33 


i«  them  ;**  and  speaks  gratefully  of  the  kind  treatment  he  re- 
ceived from  the  people. 

Rev.  Mr.  Stone,  while  on  his  Mission,  preached  48  ser- 
mons, embodied  a church  at  Temple,  administered  the  Lord’s 
supper  once,  and  baptized  8 children.  “ There  is  (he  says)  a 
“ small  Congregational  Society  in  Litchfield,  who  have  ever  been 
“ destitute  of  a regular  minister  ; but  be  it  spoken  to  their 
“praise,  they  have  regularly,  on  Lord’s  days,  for  25  years 
“ past,  met  for  religious  worship,  and  sung  and  prayed  togeth- 
« er,  and  a sermon  has  been  read  on  these  occasions.  Books 
“and  sermons,  suitable  to  be  read  in  public, would  be  thankful- 
“ ly  received  from  the  Society,  or  from  benevolent  individuals.” 

Monies,  to  the  amount  of  between  two  and  three  hundred 
dollars,  were  voted  by  the  Society,  to  be  put  into  the  hands  of 
the  Missionaries,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  the  establish- 
ment and  support  of  schools,  in  districts,  whose  inhabitants 
were  poor,  and  their  children  uneducated.  The  effects  of  this 
charity  have  been  encouraging.  Mr.  Eastman,  in  a letter  to 
the  Secretary,  writes  thus— “ In  general  my  lectures  have 
“ been  full,  and  on  the  Sabbath,  the  assemblies  have  been 

much  crowded.  As  to  the  schools , I am  able  to  give  you  a 
“ very  favourable  and  satisfactory  account.  Almost  every 
“ town  or  plantation  on  which  I bestowed  one  month's  instruc- 
“ tion  last  year,  have  themselves  hired  tivo,  three , and  in  some 
“ instances  four  months,  this  year.  Excited  by  the  generosi- 
“ ty  of  your  Society,  they  are  now  in  most  of  the  towns  and 
“ plantations  doing  to  the  extent  of  their  ability  ; so  that  in 
“ some  places,  I had  no  room  to  bestow  their  bounty  this 
“ year.  To  others,  whom  1 believed  to  be  truly  needy,  I have 
“ this  year  paid  for  instruction,  agreeably  to  your  order,  forty- 
“ Jive  dollars." 

The  sum  of  three  hundred  dollars  was  expended  the  last 
year  in  the  purchase  of  Bibles,  Testaments,  Psalm-Books, 
Spelhng-Books,  and  various  religious  books  and  tracts,  a part 
of  which  have  been  already  distributed,  and  the  remainder,  it 
is  expected,  will  be  taken  by  the  Missionaries  next  spring. 
The  accounts  from  all  the  Missionaries  agree,  that  the  har- 
vest in  this  part  of  the  Lord’s  vineyard  is  great,  but  faithful, 
discreet,  and  pious  labourers  are  few. 

Prom  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sergeant  we  have  received  the  pleasing 
intelligence,  that  about  one  third  part  of  the  Oneida  tribe,  call- 
ed the  Pagan  party,  or  followers  of  the  Prophet , amounting  to 
about  250,  who  live  between  Oneida  and  New  Stockbridge, 

E 


34 


■were  determined  to  join  his  congregation  at  the  commence- 
ment  of  this  year.  He  expresses  strong  hope,  by  the  blessing 
of  God,  that  the  two  parties  (Pagan  and  Christian  Indians) 
may  be  united,  both  in  a civil  and  religious  view.  If  these 
prospects  are  realized,  it  will  rejoice  the  hearts  of  all,  who 
wish  well  to  the  poor,  benighted  heathen  of  our  country. 

The  speeches  of  the  Pagan  Chiefs,  and  the  answers  of  the 
Stockbridge  Indians,  are  interesting,  and  given,  some  of 
them,  at  length,  in  Mr.  Sergeant’s  journal. 

This  accession  will  increase  the  labours  of  this  pious  and 
faithful  Missionary,  and  at  his  advanced  age,  render  necessary  a 
colleague,  to  enable  him  to  visit  and  instruct  his  flock  in  their 
families,  a very  important  branch  of  ministerial,  especially  of 
a Missionary’s  duty. 

The  funds  of  the  Society  have  remained,  without  any  con- 
siderable alteration,  for  several  years  past.  The  amount  of 
stock  on  interest,  belonging  to  the  Society,  is  £>22,407  22,  the 
income  of  which  is  $1 174  43,  §491  09  of  which,  is  appropri- 
ated by  the  donors  to  particular  objects. 

The  liberal  patronage,  which  the  Honourable  Legislature  of 
the  Commonwealth  has  bestowed  on  the  Society,  by  their  an- 
nual grants,  for  many  years  past,  the  Society  have  reason  to 
believe  has  been  employed  for  the  lasting  benefit  of  a needy 
and  very  deserving  portion  of  its  inhabitants  ; and  so  long,  as 
it  shall  be  thus  bestowed,  it  is  hoped  it  will  be  continued. 

Donations  to  the  Society. 

Received  by  Rev.  Mr.  Stone,  from  the  town  of  Tem- 


ple,   820 

From  Mr.  Johnson-  - --  --  --50 


By  Rev.  Mr.  Oliver,  from  the  town  of  N.  Yarmouth,  12 

Pittston  - 1 8 

Winthrop  - 114 


§61  54 


OFFICERS 

Of  the  Society  for  the  year  ending  May  1806. 

lion.  James  Sullivan,  Esq.  President, 

Hon.  Oliver  Wendell,  Esq.  Vice  President , 
Ebenezer  Storer,  Esq.  Treasurer , 

Rev.  John  Eliot,  D.  D.  Vice  Treasurer, 


35 


Rev.  Jedidiah  Morse,  D.  D.  Secretary , 

Rev.  Abiel  Holmes,  D.  D.  Assistant  Secretary , 
Rev.  John  Lathrop,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Joseph  Eckley,  D.  D. 

William  Phillips,  Esq. 

Mr.  Samuel  Salisbury, 

Hon.  Dudley  A.  Tyng,  Esq. 

Mr.  James  White, 

Rev.  Jedidiah  Morse,  D.D. 


• Select  Committee. 


The  following  is  a List  of  Members  living,  January  Is;,  1806. 

Rev.  Thomas  Barnard,  D.D. 

Rev.  Joshu&  Bates, 

Alden  Bradford,  Esq. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Bussey, 

Rev.  William  Channing, 

Hon.  Richard  Cranch, 

Hon.  Francis  Dana, 

Hon.  John  Davis, 

Hon.  Thomas  Dawes, 

Rev.  Joseph  Eckley,  D.  D. 

Samuel  Eliot,  Esq. 

Rev.  John  Eliot,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Nathaniel  Emmons,  D.  D. 

Rev.  Levi  Frisbie, 

David  S.  Greenough,  Esq. 

Rev.  Abiel  Holmes,  D.  D. 

Mr.  David  Hyslop, 

Rev.  John  Lathrop,  D.  D. 

Hon.  Benjamin  Lincoln, 

Rev.  Joseph  McKean,  D.  D.  President  of  Bowdoin 
College, 

Rev.  Jedidiah  Morse,  D.  D. 

Samuel  Parkman,  Esq. 

Rev.  Elijah  Parish, 

Eliphalet  Pearson,  LL.  D.  Hancock  Professor 
of  the  Hebrew  and  Oriental  Languages,  and  the 
English  Language, 

William  Phillips,  Esq. 

Rev.  Eliphalet  Porter, 

Daniel  D.  Rogers,  Esq. 

Mr.  Samuel  Salisbury, 

Ebenezer  Storer,  Esq. 

Hon.  James  Sullivan,  Esq. 


36 


Hon.  John  Treadwell,  Esq. 
Hon.  Cotton  Tufts,  Esq. 
Hon.  Dudley  A.  Tyng,  Esq. 
Mr.  Samuel  H.  Walley, 
Hon.  Oliver  Wendell,  Esq. 
Rev.  Samuel  West,  D.  D. 
Mr.  James  White, 

Ebenezer  Wight,  Esq. 
Samuel  Williams,  LL.  D. 
Mr.  William  Woodbridgc. 


Form  of  a Bequest  or  Legacy. 

Item. — I give  and  bequeath  the  sum  of  to 

the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  among  the  Indians  and 
others  in  North  America  ; to  be  applied  either  to  the  general 
objects  of  the  Institution,  or  to  such  particular  purposes,  con- 
sistent with  those  objects,  as  the  donor  may  think  proper. 


